The Best Seaside Towns in the UK

Best UK seaside towns at a glance

Best seaside towns in England

St Ives

St Ives has some of the best town beaches in the country, including Porthminster and Porthmeor, plus a busy harbour and a long history as an artists' colony. Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden are both here. The light and the turquoise water make it feel almost Mediterranean on a sunny day.

It's very busy in summer, and the narrow streets aren't made for cars, so park outside town or arrive on the scenic branch line from St Erth.

For a walk, follow the South West Coast Path west towards Zennor, one of the wildest stretches of the Cornish coast. In the evening, the harbour-front restaurants are known for their seafood.

Whitby

Whitby, on the North Yorkshire coast, is one of the most atmospheric towns in England. Climb the 199 steps to the ruins of Whitby Abbey, which helped inspire Bram Stoker's Dracula, then walk the harbour and its two piers. Whitby is also famous for fish and chips and its links to Captain James Cook.

The town hosts its Goth Weekends twice a year, when it fills with elaborate costumes, and the North York Moors start just inland, with steam trains running across the moors to Pickering on a heritage railway.

Southwold

Southwold, in Suffolk, is a gentle, old-fashioned seaside town, with a white lighthouse in the middle of the streets, a pier, colourful beach huts and the Adnams brewery. It's quiet and well kept, and a favourite for a relaxed weekend away.

Across the river, the village of Walberswick is famous for crabbing off the bridge, a favourite with children, and the wide beaches of the Suffolk Heritage Coast are perfect for long, empty walks.

Salcombe

Salcombe sits on a sheltered estuary in South Devon, surrounded by sandy coves and green hills. It's a sailing town with an upmarket feel, lots of boats and some lovely beaches, including North Sands and South Sands, reached by a short ferry across the water to East Portlemouth.

It's at its busiest in summer, when the sailing crowd arrives, but out of season it's calm, with coastal walks towards Bolt Head and plenty of cosy pubs. Fresh crab is the local speciality.

Scarborough

Scarborough is often called Britain's first seaside resort. It has two big sandy bays divided by a headland with a castle on top, plus amusements, gardens and an open-air theatre. It's a classic choice for families.

In summer, Peasholm Park stages its famous miniature naval battles on the lake, and the Open Air Theatre hosts big-name concerts. The town is also a good base for exploring the Yorkshire coast and moors.

Whitby and Scarborough are only about 20 miles apart, so it's easy to see both, and you can browse current Yorkshire coast and countryside breaks if you'd like a hotel deal for the area. For short stays around the whole coast, our seaside break deals are updated every morning.

Best seaside towns in Wales

Tenby

Tenby, in Pembrokeshire, is one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Britain, with medieval walls, a harbour lined with pastel houses and four sandy beaches. Boats run from the harbour to Caldey Island, home to a community of monks. It's ideal for families and a great base for exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

A short drive west, Barafundle Bay is often named one of the most beautiful beaches in Britain. It's reached by a walk from the National Trust car park at Stackpole, which keeps it wonderfully unspoilt.

Llandudno

Llandudno, on the north coast of Wales, is a grand Victorian resort with a long promenade, a pier and two beaches either side of the Great Orme headland. Ride the historic tramway to the top of the Orme for views across the bay, and look out for the wild goats that live there.

Conwy, with its medieval castle and town walls, is just a few miles away, and the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) are close enough for a day trip.

Best seaside towns in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Anstruther

Anstruther is the largest of the fishing villages along Fife's East Neuk, a short drive from St Andrews. It's known for its fish and chips, the Scottish Fisheries Museum and boat trips to the Isle of May, where puffins nest in spring and early summer. The coastal path links it with the pretty neighbouring villages of Pittenweem and Crail.

Crail, the most picturesque of the East Neuk villages, has a tiny harbour that's often photographed, and St Andrews, with its beaches, castle and historic golf courses, is about 20 minutes' drive away.

Portree

Portree is the main town on the Isle of Skye, with a harbour of brightly painted houses. It doesn't have a big beach, but it's the natural base for exploring the island, including the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. Book well ahead in summer, when accommodation on Skye fills up quickly.

From Portree you can also reach the Fairy Pools at Glen Brittle and the Trotternish peninsula. Allow plenty of time on Skye's single-track roads, which can be slow in summer.

Portstewart

Portstewart, on Northern Ireland's north coast, has a lively promenade and Portstewart Strand, a two-mile stretch of golden sand cared for by the National Trust. It's a short drive from the Giant's Causeway and the rest of the Causeway Coast.

Nearby, the dramatic ruins of Dunluce Castle sit on the cliff edge, and neighbouring Portrush has more beaches, amusements and a famous golf course. The whole coast is lovely for a road trip.

Prettiest seaside towns in the UK

If you're choosing on looks alone, these four are hard to beat:

• Tenby, for its pastel harbour and medieval walls.
• St Ives, for its turquoise water and whitewashed cottages.
• Portree, for its colourful harbour backed by Skye's hills.
• Salcombe, for its estuary views and sailing boats.

All four are at their most photogenic early in the morning, before the crowds arrive, and on bright days in spring and autumn, when the light is softer and the streets are quieter.

Best seaside towns for families

For a family seaside holiday, look for safe sandy beaches, a few rainy-day options and easy places to stay.

• Scarborough: two big beaches, amusements, a sea life centre and plenty of family hotels.
• Tenby: sandy beaches right in town and boat trips from the harbour.
• Llandudno: a classic promenade, pier and tramway.
• St Ives: beautiful beaches, though it's busy in the school holidays.

Holiday parks, lodges and cottages are often the easiest places to stay with children, as they give you more space and a kitchen.

Rock pooling, crabbing and fish and chips on the harbour wall cost very little and are often the highlights of a seaside break for children, so you don't need a packed itinerary to make it memorable.

Best seaside breaks by season

Summer brings the best weather but also the biggest crowds and highest prices, especially in Cornwall and Devon. Autumn and winter are quieter and often better value, and towns with good pubs, restaurants and walks, such as Whitby, are lovely out of season.

Spring is often overlooked, but May and June can bring some of the sunniest weather of the year, with long evenings and gardens and clifftops in flower, before the school holidays begin.

For the south-west in particular, you can check current Cornwall and Devon holiday deals to see which seaside hotels have offers in the quieter months.

How to plan a UK seaside break

• Parking: many seaside towns have narrow streets and limited parking, so check where you can park before you arrive, or travel by train where you can.
• School holidays: prices and crowds peak in late July and August, and at Easter and half terms.
• Dogs: many beaches restrict dogs in summer, often from May to September, so check local council rules before you go.
• Book early: the best cottages and hotels in popular towns book up months ahead for summer.

If you'd rather have your own space, our lodges and cottages include self-catering stays near the coast, many with hot tubs and room for the whole family.